A Montrose woman was found guilty by a jury of assaulting an 87-year-old wheelchair-bound man then crying rape in an effort to avoid detection.
Pregnant Louise McDougall told “one Oscar-worthy lie after another” in alleging the man had raped her, the jury agreed, in unanimously finding her guilty of assault and breach of the peace, plus a third charge by majority of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The jury deleted references to brandishing a knife at the pensioner and of robbing him of his wallet and cash.
McDougall, 25, of Mount Avenue, Montrose, had claimed the pensioner sexually assaulted her and she acted in self-defence.
The jury of ten women and five men took an hour and a half to convict McDougall, who sat impassionately in the dock as the verdicts were read out.
Sheriff Munro told her that if it wasn’t for the fact she was due to give birth in May she would have remanded her in custody pending reports, however she warned her she should not take that as a sign she would not be jailed.
Advocate Jonathan Crowe said McDougall was “under no illusions that custody is a possibility in this case,” but asked that she be allowed bail so that reports could be compiled within the community.
Sheriff Munro agreed but warned her: “These are obviously serious offences made much worse by the fact you have a criminal record for violence and breaches of the peace.
“I have to get a report from the social work department and if it wasn’t for the fact that you are pregnant you would be remanded in custody.
“This doesn’t mean you will not be going into custody though.”
During the four-day trial, jurors heard McDougall repeatedly struck Mr Watson, took her clothes off then phoned 999 and told police she had been raped by the frail pensioner.
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